Jeremy Stephens’ performance this past Saturday at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale against WEC veteran Danny Downes was nothing short of pure dominance.

His game was firing on all cylinders. His four-years of octagon experience, powerful combinations and ever improving ground skills were on full display. Also on display was Downes’ sheer toughness as he showed an uncanny ability to survive Stephens’ onslaught.

After his latest victory, Stephens hopes the performance earns him a top contender, but for now, he’ll give Downes the respect he earned by surviving the 15 grueling minutes.

“That guy’s got nothing but my respect,” Stephens recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “I about broke his arm, about choked him out, hit him with everything but the kitchen sink – and the guy was still standing. He’s tough.”

Stephens utilized an arsenal full of weapons against Downes to improve to 4-1 over his past five fights. But the heavy-handed Stephens admitted that his nerves were on edge heading into the June 4 fight, which took place in Las Vegas.

“It was like one of those fights where I’m fighting a top-10 guy,” said Stephens, who secured a deep kimura that Downes somehow survived. “It’s one of those fights where I have nothing to lose and I can go out and do everything. This was kind of a nervous fight for me. I had nothing to gain. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose. As far not finishing him, I was just wanting to be patient and show my experience in the ring has paid off and prove that I’ve grown from it. He’s a tough customer. I don’t know how to bend an arm further back. I put on a good show for the fans, and it ended up being a good fight for me.”

Much of Stephens’ recent success can be attributed to the time spent training in San Diego under the tutelage of Tony Palefox and Jhanex Alviz. Both men have played key roles in the 25-year old’s success.

“Tony Palefox is my boxing coach,” Stephens said. “I also have my Muay Thai coach … Jhanex Alviz. Fighting for me is very natural, and now I have these great coaches who put in the effort to fine tune things. So, my engine runs way better with these guys, and I have nothing but them to thank. It’s really improved my game a lot. Tony Palefox and Jhanex Alviz, those guys are my heroes.”

With a strong team behind him, Stephens moves to 2-0 in 2011 and remains healthy after the recent victory. As for whom he’d like to face next, he has his sights set on a former PRIDE lightweight champion.

“(UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and I had the chance to talk before I went into the locker room on Saturday,” Stephens said. “He was like, ‘What’s next for Jeremy Stephens?’ I said, ‘Hey Joe, thanks. I’m not looking past this guy. I know things got switched up, and we have to do what we have to do, but I want a top contender.’ I know Gomi has had a rough thing over here in the UFC. He’s not really lived up to the hype. But the dude fights, and anyone that knows Takanori Gomi knows he’ll fight his ass off. He’ll stand, and he’ll trade. Why not give the fans what they really want?

“To me, that’s an exciting fight. I have a lot of respect for the guy. He’s very tough, and I’ll have to train my ass off to be on point that night and be the better man. There’s also the chance I could lose. The guy’s a tremendous fighter, but I think I’d knock his ass out, and I think I’m a lot better than him. Actually, I know I’m a lot better than him, so why not give the fans what they really want, and that’s to see exciting fights?”

No timetable has been set as to when he’d like to face Gomi, but if it’s up to “Lil Heathen,” the sooner it takes place the better.

“I love to stay active,” Stephens said. “I have a daughter and another one on the way, and I’m always up playing. I’m just always busy. I like to train, and I have good people around me. I have a good friend of mine who’s my roommate. His name’s Myles Jury, and if I’m not fighting, he’s fighting. He’s recovering from a knee injury right now, and he’s doing really well with the recovery. He’s always on my ass, so I’ll be in the gym. It’s my job, and I just couldn’t be more happier with my life right now and my family. So, I’m very active, and I like the fact that I can get three fights in the year.”

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